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Cacio e pepe

Yesterday, Alex stayed home sick with a cold (the first time in three years!), and he was like a little boy all wrapped up in blankets with a pile of tissues. For dinner, I wanted to make him something warm and bolstering, so I cooked up a Roman dish we'd had on our honeymoon: Cacio e Pepe. You mix together whole-wheat spaghetti, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, a bit of the hot cooking water (to make it gooey), and tons and tons of black pepper. I also added a tiny bit of lemon juice, just 'cause. It was super easy, and I'd highly recommend it. xo

78 comments:

another way to bolster cacio e pepe is to add some romano cheese with the parmesean reggiano. (the restaurant lupa in the west village does this and it really makes a difference). i would also poach an egg in the boiling spaghetti water, and once the egg whites are set and the yolk still runny, put the egg over the pasta strands and break the yolk over it. It makes the sauce even better.

Cacio e pepe is my favorite! I agree with other posters, too. Try adding a little of another cheese, too. My family in Rome has always made it with 3 cheeses. Proportions are to taste. (me, I just use whatever I have at home).

As an honorary Roman, I thank you. Gourmet magazine, a few years ago, did a good rundown on cacio e pepe. (In one of their special issues.) It's the closest I've had in the States to the real thing (other than here or at a friend's apt.)

I'm trying to ignore the lemon juice...& someone's pancetta idea. (The eggy one is carbonara without the pancetta or guanciale & onions.) All good but do not, I repeat, do not serve to Italian. They are more delicate than they appear & will freak out & moan & shriek. No end of trouble. You will be apologizing forever. (Trust me on this.)

So sorry Alex is feeling funky. First time in 3 years is nothing to, um, sneeze at...hope you both keep a watch out for early swinishness. (I am not really kidding. Two friends have two family members--1 child & 1 middle-aged guy just out of hospital...)

how funny that you posted this - we also just got back from rome and i had it on my 'to blog' list. we made some in paris (don't ask!) and it was deelish! amazing how something so simple can be so memorable (and how i've been on the planet 31 years and didn't think to have pasta with just cheese and pepper)!